The new Jekyll Review

Cons:
White Grips - already dirty after 10 rides
Water bottle cage mount - tricky mounting and does not sit against the frame due to cables underneath

Riding impressions:

Uphill: The bike climbs well in the 90mm in the rear and does not wallow on long technical climbs like horst link bikes. When the climb gets really steep it is nice to put the fork in 120mm mode up front to keep the front down.The front on the bike does feel a little light on really steep climbs in 150mm mode up front, but the new talas does make for an easy switch. The sun ringle wheels are also nice and stiff on the climbs. No issues with the 10spd and it is nice to the 36 in the back.

Flats: The bike pedals well on flats in the flow mode and unless you are really pushing it I see no need to put it in 90mm mode.

Downhills: Flip the bike in flow mode and this bike just eats up the rocks and rails the singletrack. The bottom bracket height is perfect for this type of bike. It took me a little while to get use to the wider handle bars and I am a little concerned about the width when I start riding in the trees so we will have to see. The avid brakes have good modulation on the downhill and it is nice to be able to adjust the pad distance and lever reach easily. When it came to super rocky and tight descents this bike left the 29ers in the dust. A combination of light weight and ample travel allow me to bomb through rocks and tight turns that held up other bikes. The sun ringle wheels also hold a line well and appear to handle drops and jumps well.

I do really like the flip switch for the rear travel since it is easy to pop the bike into flow mode from climbing with a little bit of thumb pressure on the release button.

I though the Scott had more of a xc-racing feel and geometry compared to the all-mountain geometry on the Jekyll. The Scott seemed less stable on the downhill. I don't do any racing so the Scott did not appeal to me even though it was cheaper.

Both bikes have a pull shock and a similar idea the Jekyll was just better for me.

Thanks for the review smilycook! I think this is going to be my next bike. I've owned a lot of Specialized bikes and I am currently riding a C-dale Rush. I used to have a Specialized Enduro SL before the Rush. I'm curious to know if you've ever ridden an Enduro SL and if so how does the Jekyll compare?

Thanks for the review smilycook! I think this is going to be my next bike. I've owned a lot of Specialized bikes and I am currently riding a C-dale Rush. I used to have a Specialized Enduro SL before the Rush. I'm curious to know if you've ever ridden an Enduro SL and if so how does the Jekyll compare?

I'm sure the Jekyll will climb better than my Prophetl Does it have a full confidence inspiring solid feel? Rocky turns-This will probably be my next so please more info. How is it on beg G-outs in both modes, short sharp G-outs? Keep talking.

I'm sure the Jekyll will climb better than my Prophetl Does it have a full confidence inspiring solid feel? Rocky turns-This will probably be my next so please more info. How is it on beg G-outs in both modes, short sharp G-outs? Keep talking.

The bike has a very confidence inspiring feel and tracks very well. In the rocky twist and turns the bike does track very well in the direction you point it. Cannondale really did a nice job in making sure the pivots had no lateral flex.

In the flow mode setting the rear feels a lot like a coil sprung shock and does not just bottom out in G-outs. I have also done some drops and jumps with it and impressed with the shock not bottoming out like some other air shocks. I have not hit anything big with it in the short travel mode, just a little wary of doing this.

I would have probably bought the Ibis HD if this bike only had the flow mode. The switch lever between the two modes is very quick and easy so it makes for fast transitions. Climbing is amazing in the short travel mode for the amount of travel you have.